Page 68 of Be Your Anything
I nod, and I don’t take my eyes off the fireworks again, choosing not to try to look back at Lennon.
But no matter how hard I try, I can’t make my thoughts do the same.
CHAPTER14
LENNON
I cross my arms in frustration but try not to glare at Ellison across the conference room.
“I understand you have an opinion on this, Ellison, but ultimately, I have to do what I think is best. That means I’m not going to charge ten thousand dollars a plate for this dinner. Five is more than enough, and honestly, I still think it’s too high. I don’t want us to look like we’re greedy.”
Ellison doesnotchoose to hide her irritation, sending me a nasty look across the large table between us. “I don’t feel like you’re taking this seriously, Lennon. Last year, the price was five thousand a plate and there were no complaints.”
“Exactly,” I reply, leaning back in my chair and trying not to appear too tense.
This argument with Ellison has been going on for two months now. She has a very clear perspective on the budget for this dinner, as well as a number of other things. I commend her for her attention to detail and investment in this event, but just because she was the director’s go-to last year does not mean she gets to be the HBIC this year.
That’s my job.
“There weren’t any complaints, and the foundation pulled in nearly eight million dollars from attendance and the auction. With this year being the fiftieth anniversary, the guest list is more substantial, and I don’t doubt we’ll raise at least fifty percent more, which is an astronomical increase from one year to the next.”
Ellison rolls her eyes and makes a scoffing noise.
I stand, place my hands flat on the conference room table, and then lean forward until I have Ellison’s full attention.
“I’m not budging on this. I will tell you this one more time. Let. It. Go.”
She closes her folder with an irritatedthwapand then stands, her long, lean frame towering over me even from across the wide table.
“If you want to make this ridiculous mistake, go for it, but don’t count on me to support or encourage any of your imbecilic decisions.” She pauses. “And just in case you don’t know, imbecilic means—”
“Iknowwhat it means, Ellison. What I want to know is why you think it’s in any way acceptable to speak to me that way in a professional setting.”
She smirks. “Being the daughter of the boss doesn’t mean you’re above anyone else,” she says, her voice brittle.
“No, but being the Director of Event Operationsdoesmean I’m aboveyou.” Her eyes narrow. “Speak to me like that again, and I kid you not, I will report you to HR.”
She makes an incredibly juvenile groaning noise before she picks up her shit and storms out of the room.
Holy bananas that bitch is driving me up the fucking wall.
First it was a completely inappropriate comment about my outfit and my skirt being too short. Then it was some bullshit about what I brought to eat for breakfast and if I could really afford those extra calories today. And now this stuff with theimbecilecomment.
I don’t know how Ellison was raised, but I am certain the Tillman family taught her better than how she’s acting in this office. Like a spoiled fucking brat.
Turning my attention back to the room, I give a slightly exasperated smile to the handful of other employees who have been watching this interaction with wide eyes and mouths slightly ajar.
“I apologize for that,” I say, “but let me make myself clear in case anyone missed it. I want feedback and opinions. I am open to suggestions and change. This is absolutely a place where we decide things as a team. That said, Iwill nottolerate employees who badmouth their colleagues or who get inappropriate or unprofessional with their tone or language.”
No one says anything, and I realize the likelihood of getting anything else productive out of this meeting is incredibly low. I dismiss the group, feeling a little chagrined as they scurry out of the room like they can’t get away from me fast enough.
“Well, that was interesting.”
I groan and tuck my hands into my hair, pulling my thick mass of locks away from my neck, wishing my mother wouldn’t scold me for just throwing my hair up into a messy bun.
“I don’t think there’s any chance of Ellison convincing anyone she’s in charge anymore, though. I can promise you that.”
Pursing my lips, I turn and look at Kerrigan. “You’re not making me feel any better.”
